Post job

What is a mutual fund manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

The job of a mutual fund manager is relatively straightforward. It requires that you manage the purchase and sales of fund holdings while working with clients and helping them grow their wealth. You will also manage investment funds usually owned by private and corporate investors.

This is because investors rely on your expertise and knowledge to guide them with the correct information to invest in the right organizations and increase their income. To become a mutual fund manager, you need extensive education and years of experience.

While a career in mutual fund management offers excellent income, you need to have an undergraduate degree like BBA or a degree in finances and investment. An MBA in finance and certificates of some stock market courses are also sometimes necessary.

Aside from that, you need to have strong time management, confidence, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills. Most mutual fund managers make an average of $125,000 per year.

ScoreMutual Fund ManagerUS Average
Salary
5.4

Avg. Salary $68,537

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.0

Growth rate 17%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.87%

Black or African American 7.52%

Hispanic or Latino 12.59%

Unknown 4.69%

White 65.67%

Gender

female 44.76%

male 55.24%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress level
8.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.5

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Mutual fund manager career paths

Key steps to become a mutual fund manager

  1. Explore mutual fund manager education requirements

    Most common mutual fund manager degrees

    Bachelor's

    71.2 %

    Master's

    14.0 %

    Associate

    8.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific mutual fund manager skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Financial Reports13.05%
    Portfolio12.55%
    Payroll8.39%
    Oversight8.28%
    Financial Analysis6.91%
  3. Complete relevant mutual fund manager training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New mutual fund managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a mutual fund manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real mutual fund manager resumes.
  4. Research mutual fund manager duties and responsibilities

    • Manage the student-run investment fund with over $720K AUM.
    • Manage investment research and support for 8 FX desk traders.
    • Manage AUM 2MM seeder fund using conservative proprietary arbitrage trading strategies on stocks and options.
    • Lead upgrade that streamline the interface for entering custom swaps, and automate the process for creating standard swaps.
  5. Prepare your mutual fund manager resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your mutual fund manager resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a mutual fund manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable mutual fund manager resume templates

    Build a professional mutual fund manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your mutual fund manager resume.
    Mutual Fund Manager Resume
    Mutual Fund Manager Resume
    Mutual Fund Manager Resume
    Mutual Fund Manager Resume
    Mutual Fund Manager Resume
    Mutual Fund Manager Resume
    Mutual Fund Manager Resume
    Mutual Fund Manager Resume
    Mutual Fund Manager Resume
  6. Apply for mutual fund manager jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a mutual fund manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first mutual fund manager job

Zippi

Are you a mutual fund manager?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average mutual fund manager salary

The average mutual fund manager salary in the United States is $68,537 per year or $33 per hour. Mutual fund manager salaries range between $34,000 and $137,000 per year.

Average mutual fund manager salary
$68,537 Yearly
$32.95 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do mutual fund managers rate their job?

Working as a mutual fund manager? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse executive management jobs